Heroica RPG - Quest #29: Journey to Dastan

[JimBee]

The man with the tunic seemed to be moving cargo, while the other was drinking from a bottle. The man in the tunic seemed to take charge.

"Good morning. This is important cargo here, just arrived this morning. For the emperor himself. I'll need to see some papers if you're going to take this. And please excuse my colleague here, please don't tell our boss. He's having a rough week."

"Eh?"

Russel turns to Sarick. "These are everyday dock workers. They handle the cargo. We're stretched thin as far as manpower because of the conflict with the Rogue Lion Knights, but there are usually guards patrolling the dock areas so that no one steals anything."

[Xarrzan]

Sarick handed over the envelope to the first man who spoke. "Why is your friend having such a rough week?"

[JimBee]

The man takes the letters, opens and reads them. "...Alright, these have the signature and seal of the Emperor, so you're good to take these medical supplies. Good luck. Oh, and uh, my friend here, his wife left him, he got in a fight a few days ago, and he's been drunk for the past week. Please, he just needs some time, and his job is all he has... so please don't call the authorities..." The man looks nervously at Russel while the shirtless man begins to sing to himself, off-key.

[CorneliusMurdock]

Have Medical Supplies been tampered with in any way while in worker's care?

Cronk think friends should deliver supplies as quickly as possible.

[Chromeknight]

The man takes the letters, opens and reads them. "...Alright, these have the signature and seal of the Emperor, so you're good to take these medical supplies. Good luck. Oh, and uh, my friend here, his wife left him, he got in a fight a few days ago, and he's been drunk for the past week. Please, he just needs some time, and his job is all he has... so please don't call the authorities..." The man looks nervously at Russel while the shirtless man begins to sing to himself, off-key.

Is there anything we can do to help him?

Sarick, should Cronk or I carry the medical supplies? We are less likely to fall in battle and lose them.

[Tanma]

Have Medical Supplies been tampered with in any way while in worker's care?

Cronk think friends should deliver supplies as quickly as possible.

IC: De'kra nodded vaguely, and clicked, "Best to hurry, team not know if there time limit on medicine." De'kra scanned both workers carefullyas he said this, as the meaning of the words alluded him. Bits and pieces he got, but this possession known as a wife was a word De'kra was not familiar with. From the context some clues could be found, but there were not enough hints for him to comprehend.

[Fugazi]

QM Note: No problem Fugazi, have fun at the event.

OOC: Wish I could be there! Unfortunately this was an unrelated trip.

Have Medical Supplies been tampered with in any way while in worker's care?

Cronk think friends should deliver supplies as quickly as possible.

"I agree. I don't think that we have a precise description of the supplies we were asked to deliver, and these could be weapons for all we know. Not that it makes a difference, as long as we fullfill our mission. Still, it would be good to know if what we're carrying at least remotely looks like what we were asked to bring back. Russel, is there any way you can help us?"

[JimBee]

Have Medical Supplies been tampered with in any way while in worker's care?

"No, in fact I just unloaded these boxes a few hours ago."

Sarick, should Cronk or I carry the medical supplies? We are less likely to fall in battle and lose them.[/color]

"Actually we'll just have them transported to the carriages. We wouldn't expect you to carry all these crates and fight at the same time!"

OOC: Wish I could be there! Unfortunately this was an unrelated trip.

Oh.

"I agree. I don't think that we have a precise description of the supplies we were asked to deliver, and these could be weapons for all we know. Not that it makes a difference, as long as we fullfill our mission. Still, it would be good to know if what we're carrying at least remotely looks like what we were asked to bring back. Russel, is there any way you can help us?"

Russel steps over to the crates and lifts the lid from one of them. Inside potions, remedies, bandages, and other medical supplies can be seen. "Yup, these look good. I guess it's a good thing for caution, though. If you're all ready to go, we can pack up and head to our next destination before midday, after meeting his highness back at the market district."

[Chromeknight]

Russel steps over to the crates and lifts the lid from one of them. Inside potions, remedies, bandages, and other medical supplies can be seen. "Yup, these look good. I guess it's a good thing for caution, though. If you're all ready to go, we can pack up and head to our next destination before midday, after meeting his highness back at the market district."

If his highness will excuse the use.

Nerwen takes one remedy from the crates and uses it to cure the other worker's drunkenness. She then stands him on his feet. Reaching into her satchel she pulls out 5 gold and gives it to him, saying,

Wife or not, you have a friend who wants to look after you, a job to do and, who knows, no doubt a destiny to fulfill. You cannot honor those things drunk on the ground. And if you absolutely must escape your life, no doubt you can accompany us and escort these supplies to the front lines. Either way, go in peace with Galadrya's blessing.

[Fugazi]

"Right, let's make our way back to the market. I hope we don't meet more drunkards on the way or we won't have anything left for the Emperor!"

[Tanma]

IC: De'kra nodded vaguely at the soldier, still confused about that term "wife." It sounded close to the Eubric word for life, perhaps it was a synonym for the Eubric concept of soul. Like Ka, Iden, and Mata, all mean spirit. Of course Mata tends to be reserved for more impressive uses, and Iden refers solely for the Kanohi, so there might be a similar division of soul and wife. And the worker did seem out of it, like he was missing something vital...

...but unless humans had really glitchy bodies, it seems unlikely that they could just lose such a seemingly vital part. Not to mention that the general reaction was more of pity rather than horror, and it seemed likely that if someone was missing a vital part of their body, Ulanders would react in horror. And the last time De'kra based his findings off poor descriptions, he believed there was a terrible disease ravaging the Hall. Which reminded De'kra that he needed to talk to Tomas to get the whole story, as Dak's words were like a Water Toa Hordika trying to put out a fire: a chaotic explosive force that destroys and engulfs everything despite potentially good intent.

De'kra perked out of his mental discussion just in time to hear Nerwen's speech. There were undertones of all three virtues in the healer's words, a refreshing change from much of Eubric. And despite De'kra's cultural differences, from what he could tell Nerwen seemed to believe those words. And from what he knew of Cronk and the others, the echo could only conclude that this team were superior to Quest 20's coalition in every way, and would be better than Quest 4's group if not for Tomas and Cinna. Despite his emotionless face, De'kra felt a bit more at ease, and his body movements showed it.

[posades]

Xander was ready to follow the group to the market; although he felt for the man that had had a run of bad luck, he would have coped with the situation differently. 'To each his own', he thought to himself.

[Xarrzan]

"Letsss head to the market then," said Sarick.

[JimBee]

If his highness will excuse the use.

"I'm sure the emperor would be willing to help out those in need. Especially if he doesn't know. "

Wife or not, you have a friend who wants to look after you, a job to do and, who knows, no doubt a destiny to fulfill. You cannot honor those things drunk on the ground. And if you absolutely must escape your life, no doubt you can accompany us and escort these supplies to the front lines. Either way, go in peace with Galadrya's blessing.

"Eh? Where am I?" the man saw Nerwen standing over him, blessing him. "Damn you, elf! I was just havin' a nice rest 'til you came along. An' I've had enough already this week. Get out of here before you'll regret it! Go!" The man gestures angrily at the party, who scramble to leave before a conflict can arise.

The party returned to the market, where Emeraldo was already waiting for them with the horse-drawn carriages.

"Good to see you again, heroes, I hope all went well. Now if you're ready, we will be heading to our next destination shortly. We're heading to a royal fort, known as Fort Drakon, to transport some weaponry to our front lines. The fort is well within our borders, and we do not expect an attack there, so the weapons are better suited to reinforce our fronts. Ah, here are the workers now."

A line of burly dock workers and pack mules headed towards the caravan, and began packing the medical supplies into carts as directed by Emeraldo's troops.

"We will be leaving shortly, so make any preparations before we depart."

[Fugazi]

"We will be leaving shortly, so make any preparations before we depart."

Galen turns to his companions.

"I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be, but if any of you would like to pay a last visit to Miguel and his extortionate price tags before we leave there might be enough time."

[Xarrzan]

Sarick tasted the air and watched the workers load the supplies intently. He wanted to keep track of the the location of the medical supplies if the caravan was hit before its destination. Keeping his eyes on the supplies he said "I am ready to head out when the group is."

[CorneliusMurdock]

Cronk is ready as well.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen is put off by the man's reaction, clearly there was more going on for him than simple drunkenness.

I would be happy to return to the marketplace if more stalls are open. It could not hurt to look.

[JimBee]

The party quickly returns to the marketplace, but again Miguel seems to be the only vendor around.

"Came back to buy something, yeah?"

Miguel's Merchandise:

Potion - Costs 10 gold

Tonic - Costs 20 gold

Grand Potion - Costs 20 gold

Grand Tonic - Costs 35 gold

Remedy - Costs 15 gold

Phoenix Essence - CLEARANCE SALE! ONLY 3 LEFT. 60 GOLD EACH.

Mythril - VERY RARE ITEM. ONLY ONE IN STOCK. 800 GOLD.

[posades]

Xander checked his supplies; he did not need anything from the vendor.

"I am ready to travel to the fort," he mentioned as he adjusted the heavy hammer on his back.

[Chromeknight]

The party quickly returns to the marketplace, but again Miguel seems to be the only vendor around.

"Came back to buy something, yeah?"

Miguel's Merchandise:

Tonic - Costs 20 gold

Nerwen hand over the 20 gold for a tonic and thanks Miguel

[CorneliusMurdock]

Cronk not need anything either.

[Xarrzan]

Sarick was ready to move on to the fort as well.

[JimBee]

The Party:

Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight)

Level 8 Cleric

Power: 14

Health: 15/15

Ether: 5/12

Gold: 10

Inventory: Peace (Hammer, WP: 6), Wooden Staff (WP:3), Bedroll, Shovel, Potion, 2x Tonic, Remedy, 2x Nostrum, Elixir, Grand Tonic, Venom, Red Potion, Bone, Tonic

De'kra (played by Tanma)

Level 14 Rogue

Power: 19

Health: 20/20

Gold: 93

Inventory: Kapura (WP:5, Fire), Pongcanis Dagger (WP:5, Lightning), Shadeaux Dagger (WP:5), Fauxthril Hand Cannon (WP:5, unsuitable), Cloak of the Blue Assassin(SP: 1), Cloak of the Elven Spy, Bedroll, Pickaxe, Shovel, Magnifying Glass, Venom, 6x Potion, 2x Remedy, Ice Bomb, Water Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Phoenix Essence, Purple Potion, Bone

Galen Woodward (played by Fugazi)

Level 8 Rogue

Power: 13

Health: 14/14

Gold: 17

Inventory: Sword of Bashing (WP: 5, Ice), Throwing Dagger (WP:4), Potion, Remedy, 2x Venom, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll

Sarick Lanse (played by Xarrzan) *Party Leader*

Level 9 Mage

Power: 15

Health: 13/13

Ether: 8/13

Gold: 0

Inventory: Dragon's Wrath (Staff WP: 6), Healing Staff (WP:5, healing effect), Opal(Ice), Topaz(Lightning) Potion, Tonic, Nostrum, Blue Potion, Bone, Roland's Letter

Cronk (played by CorneliusMurdock)

Level 19 Paladin

Power: 31

SP: 9

Health: 39/39

Ether: 19/20

Gold: 30

Inventory: Zoot's Bane (WP:12, Light), Healing Staff (WP:5 Healing effect), Bloody Pointy Stick (WP:1), Ennoc's Blessing (Shield, SP:7), Elaborate Helmet (SP:2), 2x Potion, Holy Bomb, Bedroll, Paralyzing Venom, Blacksmith Writ, Bone, Cultist Documents

Xander Unth'or (played by posades)

Level 13 Barbarian

Power: 21

Health: 20/20

Gold: 280

Inventory: Pongcanis Club (WP: 8), Double-Sided Battle Ax (WP:6), Enigmatic Hammer (WP: 3), Robe of the Pongcanis Champion (WP: 1 Front Row)(SP: 1 Back Row), Potion (2), Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, Horse (WP: 1 Front Row), Fire Bomb, Skeleton Decoy, 2x Venom, Elven Bomb, Green Potion

The emperor's caravan then heads out to Fort Drakon, which is near the capitol of Dastan. Tall mountains can be seen in the distance with small black specks circling around them, the famed dragons of the land, no doubt. The line is stopped short of its destination, however, and the heroes get off the carts and head to the front. There the emperor, Russel, and a few guards are conversing. Roland Emeraldo turns to them.

"Heroes, we have a situation. Somehow a small contingent of Rogue Lion Knights got behind our lines, and are preparing an attack on the fort. There are soldiers defending it, but our task must still be completed. Your job will be to go in without taking the attention of the enemy, and leave with the weapons. I cannot afford to have you fall in battle, when I am so close to danger Do this as stealthily as you can. We also believe there to be an insider, an ally of the rogue Lion Knights, as it's the only way these rebels could have gotten through. If you find them, I would like you to kill them. Russel will accompany you. Understood?"

[Xarrzan]

"I'd like to verify that I heard your instructionsss correctly:

1. Sneak into the fort without alerting the Lion Knights.

2. Kill any Lion Knights that get in our way.

3. Return with the weaponry from the fort.

4. If we find the traitor, end hisss life.

Is that everything we need to know?" said Sarick. "Are there any secret passages or sewer lines that can be used to infiltrate the fort?"